Why columbaria
The first and the main reason for choosing a columbarium is the lack of available burial sites in a cemetery.
This is particularly true in the case of old necropolises, or those located in city centres where the surroundings do not allow for any further increase in area.
On average, a traditional burial plot for 2 people in a cemetery requires a space measuring about 150/170 x 270/300 cm. In the same area, we can build a columbarium containing 30 niches that can hold about 4 urns each. This means the creation of a resting place for up to 120 people
For example: an area allowing the construction of 3 tombs (4 or even 6 people) can be used as a place to establish a columbarium.
This will allow optimal use of the area, increasing the number of burial places up to 90 in the form of niches for urns.
Lower costs
Depending on the region, a plot for a grave costs about PLN 4,500 to 6,000. In addition, there is the cost of manufacturing the tomb stonework, at another PLN 8,000-10,000 (or more), and the amount allocated to purchase the space for 20-25 years (about PLN 500), which together makes many thousand PLN.
The niche in a stone-covered columbarium (with the purchase of the space for 20-25 years) costs around PLN 4,500-6,000 on average.
The niche in a columbarium based on structural or architectural concrete, or painted plaster, costs noticeably less.
This makes it a serious alternative to a traditional burial (especially in cities).
Aesthetics of columbaria
The combined use of a columbarium as a wall surrounding the cemetery is one of its most important advantages, a 2 in 1 effect. It changes and refreshes the cemetery boundary, while creating new burial places in the cemetery, many of which would otherwise be closed for burials.
The advantage of a columbarium is (or should be) its appearance, either as a matching or an eye-catching architectural element.